Back home on wiggly legs!

I'm back from a two week vacation! Although I didn't really "work out" during that time, I got plenty of exercise. We were sightseeing, so I was walking and/or climbing steps or hills most days. The day before we came back, we went up 768 stairs to the top of a church tower ... and back down again. On the way down, my daughter was a bit scared, so I had to carry her down the whole way. I was sweat buckets with my down jacket on and was really glad for my improved strength and endurance! I was also glad I was in Europe where they aren't quite as sensitive to body smells, because I was not able to shower afterward!

Even though I ate like crazy, the activity balanced it out, I guess, because I didn't gain a pound! I'm thrilled about that, because I didn't hold back at all. This was mostly heavy, starchy German food (which I love) and the associated chocolates and cakes and Italian ice cream.

We got back Tuesday night. I was going to go back to the gym on Thursday morning, but my daughter, still somewhat affected by jet lag, woke up early and wanted to stay in our bed. She refused to stay there if I got up, so I decided that was a sign that I could also use a bit more sleep.

So, I headed to the gym today to start Stage 7 of New Rules of Lifting for Women. Holy cow, that was a hard workout. I warmed up with four squats using only the olympic bar, then an attempted (failed) chin-up and a negative chin-up. During the workout, I just couldn't hold myself to 30 second breaks. My heart rate got too high and I had to catch my breath. I was really sweating and huffing and puffing. In fact, I reached about 180bpm... with WEIGHTLIFTING. This isn't running!! See below for my heart rate graph. (The split lines mark the end of an exercise and the beginning of the next rest.) My average heart rate was 144bpm.

Overall, I took 45 minutes not including about 5 minutes for warm up. For some of the exercises, I had to pause a few times to finish the set. I aimed for 15 reps because 20 is just tooooo many!

Squat - 1x8@45# then 1x7@55# - I really felt my hams after this. I probably need to work on hamstring flexibility.
Static lunge, rear foot elevated - 4x15@15# each hand
Push-up - 4x15@level 4 on the Smith Machine (about 2 feet off ground) arms mostly in
Romanian deadlift (w/ BB) - 1x15@95# then 3x15@100#
DB bent-over row - 3x15@25#ea then 1x14.5@30#ea (last rep was about a 80% pull)

I had a yogurt+protein powder treat afterwards, finishing off my protein powder again. I'll have to get some more! I think I'll get the same stuff, NNW Healthy Whey Vanilla Carmel Swirl. Yum!